Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,530,531
|
Girard
|
June 25, 1996
|
Multiple cartridge keying apparatus
Abstract
The present invention insures that the proper color toner used in a color
printer is replaced once the present supply is consumed The printer has
several of receptacles, one receptacles for each colored toner. Each
receptacle has a unique key receptacle. The replacement toner comes in a
cartridge, one cartridge for each color of the several of colored toners.
A cartridge is constructed from a common body to which an endcap is
attached. The endcap has a unique key that mates with only one of the
unique key receptacles. Each cartridge is removably inserted in the
correct receptacle.
Inventors:
|
Girard; James J. (Boise, ID)
|
Assignee:
|
Hewlett-Packard Company (Palo Alto, CA)
|
Appl. No.:
|
404793 |
Filed:
|
March 15, 1995 |
Current U.S. Class: |
399/120; 222/DIG.1; 347/86 |
Intern'l Class: |
G03G 015/06 |
Field of Search: |
355/260
222/DIG. 1
347/86
141/311 R,367
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
4611899 | Sep., 1986 | Kasamura et al. | 355/260.
|
4907019 | Mar., 1990 | Stephens | 347/86.
|
5293913 | Mar., 1994 | Preszler | 141/367.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
61-25168 | Feb., 1986 | JP | 355/260.
|
61-28979 | Feb., 1986 | JP | 355/260.
|
61-162071 | Jul., 1986 | JP | 355/260.
|
Primary Examiner: Royer; William J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Baca; Anthony J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A printing apparatus using a plurality of consumables, said apparatus
comprising:
a plurality of cylindrical shaped receptacles, one receptacle for each of
said plurality of consumables, each receptacle having a unique key
receptacle; and
a plurality of cartridges, one cartridge for each of said plurality of
consumables, each cartridge removably insertable in one of said plurality
of receptacles, each cartridge of said plurality of cartridges comprising:
a body having a cylindrical cross section of a first radius, said body
having a closed first end and a second end; and
an endcap attached to said second end of said body, said endcap having a
unique key extending to a second radius where said second radius is
greater than said first radius, said unique key mates with one of said
unique key receptacles.
2. The printing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said cartridge further
comprising a cavity bounded by said body and said endcap, said consumable
being contained in said cavity.
3. A printing apparatus using a plurality of colored toners, said apparatus
comprising:
a plurality of receptacles, one receptacle for each color of said plurality
of colored toners, each receptacle having a unique key receptacle; and
a plurality of cartridges, one cartridge for each color of said plurality
of colored toners, each cartridge removably insertable in one of said
plurality of receptacles, each cartridge of said plurality of cartridges
comprising:
a body having a first end and a second end; and
an endcap attached to said second end of said body, said endcap having a
unique key that mates with one of said unique key receptacles.
4. The printing apparatus of claim 3 wherein said first end of said body
being closed forming a cavity inside said body.
5. The printing apparatus of claim 3 wherein:
said endcap having a cylindrical cross section of a radius, said unique key
extending to a radius greater than said radius of said cylindrical cross
section.
6. A printer comprising:
marking means for placing a mark onto a media;
a first toner;
a second toner;
a first receptacle having a first key receptacle;
a second receptacle having a second key receptacle;
a first cartridge removably inserted in said first receptacle, said first
cartridge contains said first toner, said first cartridge comprising:
a first body having a cylindrical cross section of a first radius, said
first body having a closed first end and a second end;
a first endcap attached to said second end of said first body, said first
endcap having a first key extending to a second radius where said second
radius is greater than said first radius, said first key mates with said
first key receptacle;
a second cartridge removably inserted in said second receptacle, said
second cartridge contains said second toner, said second cartridge
comprising:
a second body having a cylindrical cross section of a third radius, said
second body having a closed first end and a second end; and
a second endcap attached to said second end of said second body, said
second endcap having a second key extending to a fourth radius where said
fourth radius is greater than said second radius, said second key mates
with said second key receptacle.
7. The printer claimed in claim 6 wherein said marking means is an
electrophotographic printer.
8. The printer claimed in claim 6 wherein said marking means is an ink-jet
printer.
9. The printer claimed in claim 6 wherein said first cartridge further
comprising a first cavity that contains said first toner, said first
cavity bounded by first body and first endcap.
10. The printer claimed in claim 6 wherein said second cartridge further
comprising a second cavity that contains said second toner, said second
cavity bounded by second body and second endcap.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention generally relates to cartridge replacement; and more
specifically, to replacing toner cartridges in a multi-color
electrophotographic printer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As known in the art of electrophotographic printers, a photographic surface
in the electrophotographic printer is first charged to a uniform potential
and then is "exposed" to an image to be reproduced by the scanning of a
laser beam thereacross. The photoconductor thereby obtains and
electrostatic latent image that constitutes a matrix of discharged pixels
on the photoconductor's surface. In a black and white printer, the
photoconductive surface is generally developed using a black toner that
adheres to the discharged pixel areas to form the image. Thereafter, the
toned photoconductive surface is then carried to a transfer station where
the image is transferred to a media sheet.
In a multi-colored printer, successive images are developed employing
different color toners supplied from corresponding toner modules. Color
printing is normally done with yellow, cyan and magenta toner that are
applied, in registration, during successive rotations of the
photoconductive surface. The printer also generally includes a toner
module with black toner.
As the toner in a cartridge, or reservoir, (herein referred to as a
cartridge) is expended, the cartridge must be replaced. A toner cartridge
must be replaced with a new cartridge of the same color. This, like for
like, replacement reduces chances for contaminating the new toner with old
toner of a different color. An additional benefit from like for like
replacements is reduced printer complexity because the printer does not
need to sense the location of each color. However, like for like
replacement requires that the user insert the proper color in the proper
location.
One approach is to color the toner cartridge to correspond to the toner
color. This simple solution does not take into consideration the
significant percentage of the population that is color blind. Another
approach requires that the printer sense that the correct type toner
cartridge has been inserted. One skilled in the art understands that this
sensing requires additional hardware and firmware.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention insures that the proper color toner used in a color
printer is replaced once the present supply is consumed The printer has
several receptacles, one receptacle for each colored toner. Each
receptacle has a unique key receptacle. The replacement toner comes in a
cartridge, one cartridge for each color of the several of colored toners.
A cartridge is constructed from a common body to which an endcap is
attached. The endcap has a unique key that mates with only one of the
unique key receptacles. Each cartridge is removably inserted in the
correct receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A better understanding of the invention may be had from the consideration
of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electrophotographic imaging system.
FIG. 2 shows four toner cartridges inserted into their correct receptacles
in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates the result of attempting to insert a cartridge into the
incorrect receptacle.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a toner cartridge showing a common body and
unique endcap.
FIG. 5 shows a toner cartridge being inserted.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of all the toner cartridges showing the common
bodies and unique endcaps.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is not limited to a specific embodiment illustrated
herein. Turning to FIG. 1, a color electrophotography system 10 comprises
a drum 12 that is coated, in the known manner, with a photoconductive
surface 14. While a drum 12 is shown, those skilled in the art will
realize that any continuous photoconductive surface 14 may be employed
with this invention. An electrostatic charging station 16 charges
photoconductive surface 14 as it passes therebeneath. A laser 18
subsequently exposes selected areas of pre-charged photoconductive surface
14 to create image areas that exhibit a different charge level.
Electrophotographic system 10 is controlled by a microprocessor 30 which,
in combination with image information in raster image buffers 32, feeds
image data to laser 18 through laser control circuit 34. Microprocessor 30
also issues signals to operate toner supply control module 36 which in
turn generates signals to control cyan, yellow, magenta, and black toner
supplies 38, 40, 42, and 44, respectively. A toner conditioning roller 48
both compresses and heats toner applied to photoconductive surface 14. A
transfer roller 50 provides both heat and pressure to a media sheet 52
thereby enabling toner transfer to occur from photoconductive surface 14
to media sheet 52.
In performing a color printing action, raster image buffers 32 contain at
least three color planes, e.g., cyan, yellow and magenta. In synchronism
with the rotation of drum 12, a color plane is read out and controls laser
18 to cause the particular color plane image to be produced on
photoconductive surface 14. Toner supply control 36 then causes the
appropriate toner module (e.g., cyan module 38), to operate and to develop
the exposed cyan image on photoconductive surface 14. That image is then
conditioned by roller 48 and proceeds around drum 12, past electrostatic
charging station 16 where photoconductive surface 14 is again charged. A
second color plane from raster image buffers 32 is then read out and
controls laser 18 to discharge areas of photoconductive surface 14 that
are to be developed using a second color toner. (At this point, it is to
be noted that there is no media sheet present in contact with drum 12 and
such contact will not occur until all color planes have been read out to
control laser 18 to produce registered images.) The exposure/development
actions proceed through the cyan, yellow, magenta and black toner
stations, in sequence, until photoconductive surface 14 has been toned in
accordance with the image information contained in all raster image
buffers 32.
From the above simplified description of the operation of a color
electrophotographic printer, it should be clear that microprocessor 30
must know the proper location of the individual colors to properly render
a color image. The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a
unique keying system to insure that a toner cartridge can only be inserted
in its designated receptacle. A side view, best illustrating the preferred
embodiment, is shown in FIG. 2. Housing 201 depicts a portion of the color
electrophotographic system designed to receive the toner cartridges.
Formed into housing 201 are four receptacles, one each for four different
colored toner cartridges. Each receptacle includes a unique key hole that
is designed to receive a corresponding key on a specific colored toner
cartridge. Thus, by using the unique end-caps, toner cartridge 202 cannot
accidentally be placed into the incorrect receptacle. See FIG. 3.
Another advantage of the housing of FIG. 2 is the ease of replacing a
consumed cartridge. Most electrophotographic imaging systems require the
user to open the device to gain access to the toner cartridge. By using
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the toner cartridges
are designed to be aesthetically pleasing such that there is no need to
hide the cartridges behind panels. However, the present invention may also
be used behind cabinet doors should the designer so choose.
FIG. 4 shows a single toner cartridge 202. Each toner cartridge is
constructed from a common cartridge body 101 and a unique end-cap 102. The
shape of the end-cap's key 206 indicates the color contained in the toner
cartridge. A cartridge is designated a particular color by placing the
appropriate end-cap on the cartridge body, Thus, manufacture costs are
minimized by requiring manufacture of only one type of the more
complicated body 101. One skilled in the art will understand that
cartridge body 101 may incorporate changes due to toner differences, the
present invention does not preclude such unique designs to the body.
Also shown in FIG. 4 is indicator 104. Illumination of indicator 104
provides visual feedback to the user that toner cartridge 202 is properly
seated in the housing 201. Additionally, indicator 104 might flash
indicating that toner cartridge 202 is low or out of toner. One skilled in
the art can devise other uses and meanings for the indicator. The present
invention is not meant to be limited to those functions described here. In
the preferred embodiment, indicator 104 is a colored lens that is
illuminated by a light source from housing 201. By arranging it so, the
disposable toner cartridge 202 does not need electrical contacts through
which the indicator 104 is powered.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing cartridge 202 partially inserted into
housing 201. As described earlier, the endcap 102 of cartridge 202 is
formed to include key 206. Indentation 401 is formed in the endcap
providing a convenient gripping area for the users fingers to extract
toner cartridge 202 from housing 201. Also visible in FIG. 5 are
receptacles 403 and 404. These two receptacles are shown with their
respective toner cartridges removed showing the respective key receptacle
areas therein.
FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of toner cartridges 202, 203, 204, 205.
Each toner cartridge includes a common body 101-101C which is identical
for all of the toner cartridges and a unique endcap 102, 207, 208, and
209. Focusing on one cartridge, the unique endcap 102 includes unique key
206. It is this unique key 206 which prohibits accidental insertion of one
cartridge into another receptacle. Endcap 102 includes indentation 401
which provides easy access to the user to extract toner cartridge 202 from
housing 201. Also shown in FIG. 6 is indicator 104.
Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated,
and that form described, it is readily apparent to those skilled in the
art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from
the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.
While the preferred embodiment has been described in conjunction with an
electrophotographic printer, the present invention is equally applicable
to other type of printing methods. For example, a color off-axis ink-jet
printers stores the ink in several non-movable reservoirs. As the ink in a
reservoir is consumed, the reservoir must be replaced. Thus, by using the
present invention, each reservoir is keyed and only a properly keyed
reservoir may be inserted thereby insuring that the correct color ink in
replaced.
Top